Fri 24.9.

The young Czech practice Mjölk architects recently completed this beautiful free standing public sauna on the city dam in Liberec, their city of residence. The sauna itself was built on an abandoned concrete platform, which is located only a few dozen meters away from a popular public beach and promenade.

Public Sauna by Mjölk architects, photos by Tomas Tesar

“The sauna was constructed during the night right after their apperance at Pecha Kucha Night Prague. No legal permit was issued and the entire happening was kept secret. The bank of the dam is in public ownership of the municipality; the abandoned concrete structure as well the dam itself is owned by Povodí Labe, state administrator of watercourses of the Labe river. Neither of the authorities had any idea of what was about to happen.”

Public Sauna by Mjölk architects, photos by Tomas Tesar

“Mjölk architekti presented the sauna to city representatives at an opening ceremony, which took place last Thursday. The sauna opened to public completely free of charge. From now on, it is accessible by a little rowing boat and it is operated from a nearby café, where keys and firewood are available.

The meaning of this happening is to draw attention to limitless opportunities of cultivation of public space and life only through a simple idea and a little bit of enthusiasm and money.”

Public Sauna by Mjölk architects, photos by Tomas Tesar

The studio Mjölk architects was started in 2008 by three graduates of the Faculty of Architecture, Technical University in Liberec , Jan Mach, Pavel Nalezený and Jan Vondrák.